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Johanns honors humanitarian efforts

Sen. Mike Johanns, co-chairman of the Senate General Aviation (GA) Caucus, recently introduced a resolution honoring members of the GA community who have contributed to the ongoing humanitarian efforts in Haiti. Fellow co-chairman of the GA Caucus, Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) is the lead Democrat co-sponsor of the resolution.

“I applaud the aviation community and specifically our pilots who assisted our friends and neighbors in Haiti through thousands of relief flights,” Johanns said. “Their acts of humanitarianism and goodwill are worthy of our praise and support, and I am pleased to recognize their efforts.”

“With Haiti’s transportation network in ruins, general aviators from across the country selflessly volunteered their time, money and most importantly their planes, to help ship over one million pounds of cargo and supplies to the people of Haiti,” Begich said. “This resolution is a meaningful way to recognize their contributions and encourage their continued generosity.”

• Members of the GA community in the United States made more than 4,500 relief flights in the first 30 days after the earthquake.

• U.S. business aircraft alone conducted more than 700 flights; transported 3,500 passengers; and more than one million pounds of supplies.

• The flights were fully paid for by individual pilots and aircraft owners.

• Many of the smaller general aviation aircraft serviced areas outside the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, where larger aircraft could not serve.

• General aviation pilots continue to conduct flights to Haiti.

• In addition to Sens. Johanns and Begich, nine Senators have signed on in support of the resolution.